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Right up his alley

Blindness is no match for one teenager’s passion for bowling

Nolan LaValley follows through on his roll during a match against AuSable Valley at North Bowl Lanes. LaValley, a junior at Northeastern Clinton Central High School, is blind, but he does not let that keep him away from the alley and enjoying a sport he has grown to like. (Provided photo — Kayla Breen, Press-Republican)

PLATTSBURGH — Just because you are blind does not mean you can’t bowl.

If there’s any doubt about that, go ahead and ask Nolan LaValley.

LaValley, a junior at Northeastern Clinton Central High School, might not be able to see, but that does not keep him away from the lanes.

Joining the team

LaValley’s blindness was no match for his motivation to join the Cougars.

He decided to go to a preseason meeting and expressed his interest in bowling, and right away, he was on the team.

LaValley said his coach, Danielle Menard, and all of his teammates were just as excited for him to join the team as he was.

“It’s been incredible,” LaValley said. “My teammates have been great. Coach has helped me a lot as well. She has come up with incredible analogies on how to bowl because I can’t see how it’s done. I can’t see the proper technique of how to throw a ball.”

When it all began

LaValley’s interest in bowling developed after his aunt bought him a couple free passes last year for Christmas to go to North Bowl Lanes in Plattsburgh.

He gave it a shot and used the passes in January.

“I came bowling, and I loved it. I didn’t do well, but I loved it,” LaValley chuckled.

“It was really challenging at first, but I have started to learn the layout of the bowling alley.

“The hardest part for me is having control of the ball and finding my own ball, but I am getting my own ball for Christmas. I will have the only ball that is all white, and I will be able to see that a little bit better.”

A positive presence

Since joining the Northeastern Clinton squad, LaValley has already impressed his teammates and coach with his enthusiasm and determination.

“He helps bring the morale up,” Menard said. “He is always joking about himself or joking with everyone. He makes it all happy, and I think he makes me more positive as well. I mean, how can you not feel positive just knowing what Nolan is trying to do? He does not let his blindness deter him from improving as a bowler.”

Menard said she is extremely impressed with how LaValley’s teammates have been willing to help.

Before every match or practice, a number of team members help LaValley off the bus that transports the Cougars from school to the alley.

LaValley always has a teammate helping him if needed, according to Menard, whether it’s to make sure he has his ball or lining him up at the lane.

“All of Nolan’s teammates have been amazing,” Menard said. “They never hesitate to be there for him, and I think our team is closer because of Nolan. He’s a great piece to the team.”

How he does it

One would naturally wonder how LaValley manages to bowl with any type of success.

The season did not start out in ideal fashion for Northeastern Clinton’s newcomer.

“The first few practices were tough,” LaValley said. “I hadn’t bowled since I used those free passes as a Christmas present. I had not picked up a bowling ball since then.

“The first time I went to throw my bowling ball, it was not pretty. It went right in the right gutter, but I thought to myself, ‘Hey, at least it did not go backward.'”

LaValley’s ability to bowl comes from the light he is able to see and the contrast the gutters and lane possess.

It’s still not easy for LaValley to see exactly where he is, but light provides him with a sense of his surroundings.

“I can see the gutter lines because they are darker,” LaValley said. “I kind of aim myself in the center between the two. To me, there is a black line across the floor before the lane starts so I try and just stay one step behind it.”

Coaching techniques

Right at the beginning of the season, Menard tried to develop ways to help LaValley.

Knowing he is a junior and will be back on the team for his senior year, she wants to find additional ways to coach him.

One method she mentioned will feature a set of pins for LaValley that he can feel to know what each pin is numbered and where they are positioned on the lane.

“It’s a little difficult to coach him, but it’s definitely not impossible,” Menard said. “I have to move his arm for him and show him how to throw the ball by feel. He can’t see me show him a throwing technique.”

Before LaValley starts his roll down the lane, he comes to a complete stop and swings the ball back and forth once like a pendulum and then releases.

“It took me a bit to figure it out, but that technique works,” LaValley said.

“I have gotten to the point where I know I have to keep my arm and wrist straight and not cross my body. The next step will be not coming to a stop and bowling by stepping into my roll.”

Always improving

As the season has progressed, LaValley has become more comfortable with his technique and confident in his abilities.

In his most recent match when he competed on the Cougars’ “B” team against AuSable Valley, LaValley notched his best game (117) and series (277) ever.

He accomplished another milestone in early December when he tossed his first strike in his second match of the season.

“I always have that urge to get better,” LaValley said. “Now that I have started bowling, I really love it, and it’s my teammates and coach that keep me coming back. I love them all.”

Thankful to his teammates

LaValley has built an appreciation for bowling and an even greater gratitude for his teammates.

Eighth-grader Ethan Fassett frequently helps LaValley find his ball and approach the lane before a roll.

Another eighth-grader on the team, Jacob Cayea, has lent some assistance to LaValley during matches and told him what pins he has remaining in various frames.

LaValley also said Josh McGoldrick, a senior, and Jaycob McGoldrick, a seventh-grader, have invited him a couple times on Tuesday nights to go to North Bowl Lanes when it’s a $10-bowling night.

“It’s easy to see how receptive Nolan’s teammates are to him,” Menard said. “I just love seeing the camaraderie they all have, and that’s just a beautiful part of bowling. Our kids love having him on the team.”

Enjoying everything

Not many people have a story like LaValley owns.

Even though he is blind, LaValley has found a way to build a passion for bowling and excel.

He said he enjoys everything about the sport, and while LaValley could easily become frustrated during the course of a match, he applies a mindset that negates anger and dejection.

“I want to get better, and that’s what drives me,” LaValley said. “It’s frustrating when I don’t get better, but I look at it this way.

“If I can keep the ball out of the gutter and hit at least one pin every time, it’s a win for me.”

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